Chess books keep getting better. Since 2010, writers with tournament experience and coaching smarts have produced clear, practical guides.
These books teach everything you need to become a formidable player. They are perfect for club players, ambitious improvers, and anyone who wants real progress without drowning in pages of engine analysis.
We’ve handpicked the best modern books you should consider. It’s a guarantee that your chess will improve in leaps and bounds after an experience with these books.
1. Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide: Mauricio Flores Rios (2015)
This book turned pawn structures from a confusing maze to a friendly map. Grandmaster Mauricio Flores Rios selects the most common pawn types. He shows typical plans, key squares, and piece maneuvers for each structure.
The examples here come from real games. If you want to stop guessing and start following clear plans, this book will help. It’s excellent for players who understand basic tactics and want to think strategically.
2. Positional Decision Making in Chess: Boris Gelfand (2015)
If you want a guide who has done and seen it all in your chess journey, Boris Gelfand is the man for you. Gelfand writes like a coach at a coffee table. He explains how top players turn small advantages into wins.
The book focuses on long-term decisions: when to simplify, when to squeeze, and how to transform one advantage into another.
You get insight into how a world-class grandmaster thinks during a game. This is for advanced club players and beyond who want to upgrade their positional judgment.
3. Pump Up Your Rating: Axel Smith (2013)
Tired of being stuck and not moving up the rating ladder? This is your solution. Axel Smith gives a training program, not just theory.
The book mixes practical lessons with exercises and mental habits. Smith’s sections on calculation and consistent study stand out. He also shares time-tested routines that helped his students improve quickly.
If you prefer structure and a clear practice plan, read this. It’s aimed at players around 1500-2200 who want steady, measurable gains.
4. Small Steps to Giant Improvement: Master Pawn Play in Chess: Sam Shankland (2018)
François-Andre Danican Philidor once said, “Pawns are the soul of chess.”
Pawn play is the backbone of strategy. In this book, Sam Shankland breaks pawn ideas into short, digestible lessons. He explains why one pawn move changes everything. The book uses games and clear explanations.
Club players who struggle to convert small advantages will find this book very helpful. Shankland writes in a friendly, modern voice that makes hard concepts feel reachable.
5. The Chess Toolbox: Practical Techniques Everyone Should Know: Thomas Willemze (2018)
The Chess Toolbox: Practical Techniques Everyone Should Know: Thomas Willemze (2018)
Willemze is a trainer who builds a toolbox for common problems. He teaches how to win open files, exploit weaknesses, and remove key defenders. The format for his book is practical and coach-friendly.
This book is ideal for club players who want tactical and positional “moves” they can use right away.
6. 100 Endgames You Must Know: Jesús de la Villa (expanded editions 2014-2020)
100 Endgames You Must Know: Jesús de la Villa (expanded editions 2014-2020)
The most important phase of a chess game is the endgame. Endgames win and save points. This is a modern classic on the essentials. De la Villa organizes positions by theme and difficulty. The explanations are short and direct.
Most readers can learn the core ideas in a very short time. If you haven’t studied endgames recently, this book is a high-return investment.
7. How to Reassess Your Chess (4th Edition):Jeremy Silman (2010)
How to Reassess Your Chess (4th Edition):Jeremy Silman (2010)
Jeremy Silman’s concept of “chess imbalances” remains one of the most practical frameworks for amateur players.
Instead of memorizing theory, he teaches you to evaluate differences in piece activity, pawn structures, space, material, and king safety. The examples are carefully chosen, with Silman explaining his thought process in plain language.
This book is especially valuable for players rated between 1400-2200 who want a clear way to guide their middlegame decisions.
8. Mastering Positional Chess: Practical Lessons of a Junior World Champion by Daniel Naroditsky (2010)
Mastering Positional Chess: Practical Lessons of a Junior World Champion by Daniel Naroditsky (2010)
Daniel Naroditsky was only 14 when this book came out, yet it feels like it was written by a seasoned trainer.
The book covers subtle ideas like prophylaxis, fortress building, maneuvering, and positional sacrifices. Naroditsky explains concepts in plain language without drowning readers in endless variations.
This made the book a breakthrough. It showed that complex strategy and chess fundamentals could be taught simply. Even today, many coaches recommend it for students.
9. Endgame Strategy (Revised Edition): Mikhail Shereshevsky, updated by Jacob Aagaard (2013 reissue)
Originally published in the Soviet era, Shereshevsky’s Endgame Strategy was brought back into circulation with an updated edition in 2013, with Jacob Aagaard editing and refining the text.
The book teaches practical endgame technique by focusing on concepts such as activating the king and converting structural advantages. It doesn’t overwhelm readers with theory but instead gives them a sense of how to think in the endgame.
This book is widely praised and recommended for intermediate to advanced players who want to move beyond memorizing theoretical positions.
10. Move First, Think Later: Sense and Nonsense in Improving Your Chess by Willy Hendriks (2012)
Hendriks’ book challenges traditional chess teaching methods. By using fresh examples and training exercises, he argues that intuition and pattern recognition are at the heart of strong play.
He criticizes overly rigid calculation methods and shows that strong players often move first on instinct and then check their ideas.
Written in an engaging, sometimes provocative style, the book combines practical exercises with a philosophy of training that feels modern and refreshing.
It is especially useful for players who struggle with overthinking during games and want to play more confidently.
Conclusion
The modern chess era has produced books that balance depth with clarity. These ten books represent the best blend of practicality, explanation, and lasting value.
Whether you want to improve your opening choices, sharpen your middlegame, or finally take endgames seriously, there is a book here that will move your chess forward.